I wish I could translate the hints about the dead young men And women, And the hints about old men and mothers, and the offspring Taken soon out of their laps.

Meaning

Death is the great equalizer; it does not distinguish between the young and old. It is tragic when young people die, especially children, but death is still a part of life. When Whitman says he wishes he “could translate the hints about the dead young men and women…,” he wishes he could explain why there are young people who have premature deaths. When Whitman adds that he longs to translate the hints about mothers and the offspring taken soon out of their laps, he wishes to explain not only why the children die, but also the immense grief a mother experiences after losing a child because there are no words for that feeling.

Improve the quality of Song of Myself by leaving a suggestion at the bottom of the page